Deinandra arida facts for kids

Deiandra arida (formerly Hemizonia arida), also called Red Rock tarplant, is a rare California annual plant in the (sunflower family).

Habitat and range

Deiandra arida occurs on clay and volcanic soils and in desert dry wash from 1,000-3,000 feet (300–900 m) in elevation. It is known from only 10 sites in the Red Rock Canyon State Park area of the Mojave Desert in Kern County, California.

Growth pattern

It is a branched annual growing from 1' to 3' (30–90 cm) tall.

Leaves and stems

Lower leaves are inversely lanceolate and hairless, with toothed margins. Upper leaves are without teeth (entire) at the outside edge, and are covered in sparse, short, stiff hairs, giving it a bristly feel.

Flowers and fruits

Flower heads grow in flat-topped clusters at the tops of stems. Flower heads have 18-25 yellow disk flowers, with 5-10 yellow ray flowers. Bristly phyllaries halfway enclose the akenes.